Michael Martel

President

Michael R. Martel is a Maine Licensed Funeral Director.  He has been in our profession since 1992.  Currently he is a Market Director for SCI / Dignity Memorial, a position he's held since 2002.  As the Director of SCI's Northeast Territory, Michael manages operations in ME, NH, VT, NY and PA, including 64 funeral homes, 4 cemeteries, 3 ambulances, 1 monument company, and 1 crematory.  Michael is a graduate of New England Institute.  He also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in Orono.   Michael is a board member of the Foundation Board for the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, in Lewiston/Auburn.  He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.  He coaches youth soccer, YMCA basketball, and Auburn Suburban Little league.  He also is a member of the ICCFA.   Michael, his wife Jennifer, and his 3 children live in Auburn.

Christopher Ladner

President Elect

Christopher C. Ladner is a second generation Maine Licensed Funeral Director and managing director at the Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.   He is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, as well as having earned a B.A. from Colgate University and a M.A.L.S from Wesleyan University, CT.   He promotes and supports both youth athletics and the performing arts in his community.  Christopher and his wife, Ann, gratefully share their lives in Brunswick with their five daughters and several pets.

Chip Lamson

Immediate Past President

Chip has worked in the funeral service industry since 1991, serving communities in the Boston area, as well as Bangor, coastal Maine and the Katahdin Region.  He currently lives in East Millinocket with his wife, Lisa.  They have three daughters, Sarah, Mckenzie, and Nicole, and two grandchildren, Gracie Rae and Kyle Patrick.  Chip operates the Lamson Funeral Home in Millinocket and East Millinocket, which he owns with his brother, Mike.  He is an active member of the community, serving as board member, president, past president, and currently Treasurer of the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce, board member and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the Millinocket Regional Hospital, and is an Associate Director at the Katahdin Area Federal Credit Union.  He also volunteers as treasurer and a hot dog chef for the Schenck High School Boosters Club.  Chip has been active with the Maine Funeral Director’s Association as a board member for many years, and two terms as president – 2002-03, and 2012-13.  Additionally, he has served as Maine’s representative to the Policy Board of the National Funeral Director’s Association  since 2013.

James Lynch, CFSP

Treasurer

Jim is a 1977 graduate of St. Joseph's College in Standish and a 1982 graduate of the Centennial Class of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Ohio..Jim is a life member of the Academy of Funeral Service and has earned the distinction of being named a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner annually since 1990.

After his education, he joined the Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk in 1982.. It was 1983 as a newly licensed funeral director Jim became a Privileged Member of MFDA as an employee with the Bibber Family who financially supported his membership after his year as a Privileged member until Jim purchased the Pinette Funeral Home in Lewiston with his brother, Kevin from a former NFDA and MFDA past President Raoul Pinette in 1986 who inspired him to be active within MFDA leadership. Jim began his service to MFDA in 1987 serving on it's Board before being elected Secretary in 1989 and just recently elected Treasurer in 2018. 

Jim resides in Auburn with his wife, Jennifer and together they have two adult children, Tom of Brookline, MA., and Briana of Portland.  

Lisa Pate

Secretary

Lisa Pate became a Licensed Director with the State of Maine in 2017. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fine Mortuary College and received Dodge Corporation's Restorative Art Award.   Lisa also graduated from Bentley College in 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems and an Associate’s Degree in Management.  After college, Lisa worked at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook as a Human Resource Information Systems Analyst, then left to work part-time at Saco Valley Credit Union for over 16 years in order to raise her children. 

Lisa is an active member of the Saco community including:

• Saco Bay Rotary Club - Member
• Buxton Garden Club - Member/Vice President
  

She lives in Saco with her husband, Jim and their children, Jonathan and Katherine.

Dana McInnis

At Large

Dana McInnis is a  graduate of Oxford Hills High School in South Paris, Maine, Class of 1977 and the Fine Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. in 1999. A licensed funeral director here since 2007 retired U.S. Army veteran, and police officer, and has been in the funeral profession since 1994. Dana Purchased Gallant Funeral Home, October 2015. He resides in Winslow with his wife, Cheryl and they have two Adult sons, Craig and Christopher.

Adam Walker

At Large

Adam R. Walker, a Portland resident and Funeral Director is owner of Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home.   He has over 15 years experience in the funeral industry.  Adam has a genuine desire to serve each family with the highest consistent level of service excellence that Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes are known for. He is a naturally empathetic and understanding individual and is dedicated to providing compassionate care to families during what may be the worst time of their life. Adam recognizes the importance of active and positive community involvement. As such, he is an active member of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and he sits on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Southern Maine and is a former board member of The Center for Grieving Children. In addition, he and his staff proudly support several community events, programs and organizations. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife, Caitlin, and their beloved dog, Newbie.

Idella Marquis

At Large

Idella Thompson Marquis  A native of Caribou, Idella began working at Mockler Funeral Home in high school, and became a licensed funeral director in 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with minors in Women’s Studies and Pre-Law from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science where she graduated in the top 5 of her class. While attending mortuary college, Idella gained valuable experience while working for a busy, well-respected funeral home and trade-service in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Idella has a strong interest in public policy, and previously served as the Maine Policy Scholar for the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus - conducting a study on Protection from Abuse Orders in Aroostook County. Idella looks forward to working together with legislators and fellow Maine funeral directors while serving on the MFDA board, and serving as a voice for Aroostook County. She is active in several community groups, including as a steering committee member for Momentum Aroostook, the Caribou Regional Technology Center Advisory Board, and serves as a ballot clerk during each election.  Idella lives with her husband Aaron in Caribou – in their free time they enjoy traveling and golfing. 

Matthew Richard

At Large

Matthew Richard Matthew has been with The Fortin Group since 1990. Having lived in Lewiston since the age of 7, he attended St. Peter's School and graduated from St. Dominic Regional High School in 1992. Graduating from New England Institute of Mortuary Science at Mount Ida College, Matthew has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1996. He participates in the Tour de Cure as a member of the Dignity Riders, and is active in the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Club. Matthew also volunteers for The Dempsey Center and walks with his family in the annual Alzheimer's walk. Husband to Karen,  and father to Mackenzie & Dominique, Matt enjoys the outdoors and is often enjoying many outdoor activities with his family.